Completed in Spring, Lomond Trail has been attracting visitors, new and old, to RSPB Loch Lomond all summer. We have been blown away with the feedback we have received about the trail so far. The project centred around providing increased access to all, acting as an asset to the wider community and enabling more people to have more connections with nature.
Group walking boardwalk on Lomond Trail
Since opening, we have seen visitor numbers double and have collected a plethora of five-star reviews.
“Great to join up these two amazing parts of the reserve, fantastic addition” “Will be back time and time again. Back to nature here'”
Our community outreach work continues to provide opportunities for local groups to engage in our conservation work through meaningful learning experiences. Working with Tullochan, a local organisation providing youth work services, we have hosted school groups from across West Dunbartonshire at the reserve. To date, 170 pupils have visited us to enjoying pond dipping, as part of their learning for the RPSB Wild Challenge Award.
School Pond Dipping session
Following this, we ran 6 ‘out-of-school’ sessions for Tullochan families to participate in nature-based play activities throughout the summer holidays. In partnership, we have also supported a young adult to take part in an 8-week work experience placement at the reserve, learning practical maintenance skills and survey techniques, as a taster to a career in nature conservation.
We have been working with Children’s Hospices Around Scotland (CHAS), delivering natural arts and crafts sessions at Robin House alongside staff for resident children. As well as hosting sibling support sessions at the reserve, with nature-themed activities. Lomond Trail was designed with accessibility in mind, and it was wonderful to be able to welcome the children and families that CHAS support onsite for some family fun days. Project funding, enabled us to hire a mobile Changing Places toilet through Pamiloo, further supporting families during their visits and making sure nature is accessible to all.
Nature Art with CHAS at Robin House
It is truly amazing that the addition of this new pathway has been able to deliver so much community success and support. We are continuing our community outreach work, with students supported through Green Routes currently undertaking a work experience placement in Path Maintenance and Nature Conservation Skills. We work with Choices School to provide ongoing opportunities for learning onsite. The pupils and staff worked hard to make us some beautiful new planters for our welcome area using recycled pallets and we have plans for some more old pallets to be given new life!
Oscar, supported by CHAS, ribbon 'cutting' in style
We ‘officially’ opened Lomond Trail in September, inviting along people who have supported the project, from funders and doners to community group representatives, staff, and volunteers from all the partner organisations. It was a fitting celebration for everyone who dedicated energy into making this project an enormous success. The Highlight of the day had to be young Oscar, supported through CHAS, ‘cutting the ribbon’ in true style!
We hope to continue to welcome more people from a more diverse audience to experience nature at the reserve and throughout the winter we have an exciting line-up of events including ever-popular lantern event ‘Illuminate’, Guided Goose Walks and Robin Robin Christmas Activity Trail visit: https://events.rspb.org.uk/lochlomond
Project supported through funding from, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Brown Forbes Memorial Fund, the Horace and Helen Gillman Trusts, and the RSPB.